What Are the Causes of Car Antifreeze Leakage?

[DiCamille]

The causes of car antifreeze leakage are: 1. There is a leakage point in the cooling system; 2. The lower intake manifold gasket is damaged or the lower part of the radiator upper hose is cracked; 3. The coolant filler cap cannot maintain pressure, causing intermittent warning light illumination; 4. The vehicle has a high coolant temperature fault, leading to coolant loss. Antifreeze is a type of coolant containing special additives that prevents the coolant from freezing and cracking the radiator or damaging the engine cylinder block or head during cold winter parking. It also has excellent properties such as preventing boiling in summer, preventing scale and corrosion all year round. If the antifreeze is of poor quality or even counterfeit, it will not serve the purpose of antifreeze.

[McElias]

After driving for so many years, coolant leakage is really a common issue, mostly caused by the aging of the cooling system. If the radiator rusts or develops cracks, the fluid will leak from there, and those hose connections can loosen and leak over time. Once the water pump seal wears out, it will also leak—I've encountered this several times myself, spotting traces during engine cleaning. A loose radiator cap is another reason, as poor pressure control can easily lead to overflow. Corrosion and perforation of coolant pipes are also quite common, especially noticeable after long drives on bumpy roads. Remember to regularly check the fluid level and the condition of system components, otherwise, engine overheating can lead to costly repairs and safety risks.

[JakeDella]

As a car enthusiast, I've researched various causes of coolant leaks, which can stem from multiple issues. Radiator damage from stones or debris clogging and causing leaks is common, and aging or cracked hoses are even more prevalent, especially during seasonal changes when material contraction leads to seal failure. Water pump failures, such as damaged blades or worn-out bearings, can also cause leaks, while using substandard coolant accelerates pipe corrosion. Loose connections or improper modifications may result in minor leaks too. Recently, I discovered hardened and brittle rubber hoses during a self-inspection and promptly replaced them. I recommend monitoring abnormal temperature gauge spikes and addressing leaks early to prevent bigger problems.

[Beckett]

Common causes of coolant leakage include: internal corrosion of the radiator or external impact causing cracks; loose or aged and cracked hose connections, which are prone to leakage under high pressure; poor sealing of the water pump leading to leaks, with noticeable wear over time; damage to the cylinder head gasket causing coolant to mix into the oil circuit and form leaks. System corrosion issues or faulty radiator caps are also common. If you notice a rapid drop in coolant level, take your vehicle to a professional shop for a pressure test immediately—don't wait until engine overheating causes damage to repair it.